Greek and Latin Roots Common Pre-fixes

What are roots? An English word can consist of three parts: the root, a prefix and a suffix. The root is the part of the word that contains the basic meaning (definition) of the word. The root is the base element of the word. Many roots to English words come from Greek or Latin words. Knowing Greek and Latin roots can help you figure out the meaning of words you don’t already know.

Common Greek Roots

auto = self autobiography automatic automobile

bio = life, living biology biography biome

geo = life, living geography geology

graph = write autograph biography

meter = measure meter (length) kilometer centimeter

phil = love philosophy bibliophile

phobe = fear phobia arachnophobia claustrophobia

photo = light photograph photosynthesis

phon = sound telephone phonics phonograph

tele = distance telephone television telescope teleport

Common Latin Roots

act = do react action actor

aud = hear audio aural audience

fac = make, do facilitate manufacture factory

jur / jus = law jury justice jurisdiction

loc = place location allocate relocate

mob = move mobility automobile

ped = foot pedals pedestrian

sign = mark signature signal signify

spec = see spectacles (glasses) spectacle (show) spectator

vac = empty vacant evacuate vacuum

What are pre-fixes? Prefixes are word parts that you add to the beginning of the root or base word. Prefixes can change the meaning of a word.

Common Pre-fixes

anti- or contra- = against Examples: antisocial contradict

cent- = hundred Examples: centimeter century

ex- = out Examples: exit exile excommunicate

ir- or in- or im- = not Examples: irregular (ir- + regular) inconvenient (in- + convenient) imperfect (im + perfect)

non- = not Examples: nonverbal nonsense

post- = after Examples: postpone post-workout

pre- = before Examples: prepare preview pre-workout

pro- = forward Examples: progress proactive product

re- = again Examples: reappear reply redo

un- = not Examples: undone uncooked unhinged